The same facial recognition technology used to scan passports at airports is now used in Australia to track and study sea turtles.

THE technology will give scientists a better insight into the lives of these sea creatures without disturbing them, the The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Here’s how it works: Citizen scientists, divers and snorkelers take photos of sea turtles’ side profiles, which are uploaded to a database. Then the AI ​​works its facial recognition magic.

The method works well because each sea turtle’s facial scales are as unique as a human fingerprint, according to Sarah Jantos, director of the nonprofit Green Heroes, which uses the technology.

David Booth, associate professor of zoology at the University of Queensland, told the ABC the technology was a “game changer” as it helped scientists move away from costlier and more intrusive tracking methods including tagging. pinball and satellite.

With six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles endangered or threatenedit is more important than ever for researchers to understand their habits.

THE The World Wide Fund for Nature explains that these aquatic reptiles are useful to humans because they maintain healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs – environments that benefit species like shrimp, lobster and tuna, which we harvest for food.

Additionally, sea turtles provide other ecosystem services that benefit humans and other species. For example, like SEE Turtles explainsThese animals nest on beaches, and their eggs and hatchlings that do not survive become an important source of nutrients for coastal vegetation. Newborns also provide an important food source for many animals, the organization adds.

Around the world, conservationists are fighting to protect sea turtles. For example, conservation efforts in Bangladesh have led to a 30% increase in olive ridley turtle eggs on three of its islands since 2022. Additionally, thanks to protective measures, Greek conservationists recently famous the survival of a record number of loggerhead turtle hatchlings.

Meanwhile, scientists can only do so much, and Australian turtle AI is helping to raise conservation awareness, according to Jantos.

“I see the wildlife crisis and the ocean crisis as a humanitarian crisis as well, and I feel really passionate about speaking out for those who have no voice and for wildlife itself.” , she told ABC News.

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